Another day, another job: Tilson linked with move

The internet went into overdrive, again, today as Southend supremo Steve "Tilly" Tilson and assistant manager Paul Brush found themselves again being strongly linked with yet another vacant position in the latest in a long-running saga of unfounded speculation.

Tilson was strongly linked to another job back in November, as first reported by the Southend Afternoon Echo Sportsdesk.

Blues chiefs are yet to deny that they have received an official approach, but the Southend Afternoon Echo Sportsdesk understands that this could change if someone was to get in touch for talks, although the club would resist any such approach and Tilson himself might be reluctant to give up his job security at Roots Hall.

The speculation comes just hours after Lord Hanningfield quit as leader of Essex County Council after being charged with dishonestly submitting expenses claims. Tilson, with his outstanding managerial record, his strong Essex roots and as a life-long Blue could be a tempting choice as Essex County Council seek a new leader. Speculation is therefore mounting that Tilson could be tempted away from Roots Hall.

Said a source who has not spoken to either man about it: “Southend may have paid off the £2.1million to the tax man to avoid administration but their position is still precarious,” back in November, when he had not heard anything about the job speculation until we telephoned him. Another source stated: "He could be tempted, this makes more sense that half of the jobs he is linked with".

Appointing Tilson would however still be seen as controversial in parts of the county. Tilson led the chants of "One Team In Essex" when Southend United pipped their inbred neighbours to the League One title in 2005/06, a move that is unlikely to go down well with either Col Ewe fan. He and assistant manager Paul Brush, were also both members of the squad in 1989/90 that sent Col Ewe down to the Conference, a level Southend have never stooped as low as - a fact both Col Ewe fans should remember especially on Monday as the mighty Shrimpers visit the Care in the Community Stadium for the Essex derby.

Tilson and Brush linked with vacant job

Southend supremo Steve "Tilly" Tilson and assistant manager Paul Brush are being strongly linked with yet another vacant position in the latest in a long-running saga of unfounded speculation.

Blues chiefs claim they have yet to receive an official approach, but the Southend Afternoon Echo Sportsdesk understands that this could change if someone was to get in touch for talks, although the club would resist any such approach and Tilson himself might be reluctant to give up his job security at Roots Hall.

The news comes just days after David Miliband was the latest to rule himself out of the running for the new post of European Union foreign policy, leaving the position wide open for Tilson, despite the fact that no-one has heard of him outside of Southend. And with the post of European President still to be filled and Tony Blair having being ruled out of contention by Gordon Brown backing him, speculation is mounting that Tilson could be tempted away.

Tilson's impressive track record at Southend combined with his Anglo-Italian experiences as a player and his reliance in recent seasons on French players, could make him a leading candidate.

Said a source who has not spoken to either man about it: “Southend may have paid off the £2.1million to the tax man to avoid administration but their position is still precarious,” said the man who had not heard anything about the job speculation until we telephoned him.

"If he’s fed up and the EU are actually offering to pay him on time then he may be tempted and I could understand that.”